Pragmatic Mullins lifts Newport gloom

Available for over a year

Carl Roberts, Nathan Blake and Lee Trundle take a closer look at the impact made by new Newport County manager Hayden Mullins. County have taken 14 points from their first 11 games - nine more than at the same stage last season. Mullins arrived in the summer without any previous senior managerial experience - what has he got right in the first few months to give fresh hope at Rodney Parade? Swansea City lost at home for the first time since April on Saturday, but defeat to West Ham United - touted as the best team in the division - didn't mean they lost top spot in the Championship. Lee saw first hand the disappointment in the dressing room after the game, a dressing room that has fostered great team spirit as demonstrated by some enthusiastic singing and dancing. Swansea had Cardiff City to thanks for keeping them top by claiming a draw at Middlesbrough. It's been a decent week for Brian Barry-Murphy's men, with new singing Jack Moylan catching Nathan's eye in particular. Wrexham relieved some pressure off manager Phil Parkinson with a thumping win over Preston. Some possible candidates waiting in the wings have been mentioned, one being Lee's old mate Steven Gerrard. And after Spurs boss Roberto de Zerbi took the players on a team bonding exercise to Marbella, Nathan and Lee recall how beneficial a good night out could be in their day.